In search of new housing

I blogged yesterday about some of the changes that are beginning to take place in my life now that I am no longer a student and I am going to continue on that theme today. Starting next week I am going to have to look for a new place to live.

 

Currently I am renting a 935 square feet apartment with two bedroom and one bath for $920 a month. This is the same apartment I have lived in since the weekend before my first year of classes began. The lease ends the end of this month. In May there was a window in which I could have renewed my lease on a three to twenty-four month basis or choose to go month to month starting July 1. I chose the month to month route because I figured it would give me more flexibility even though I the month to month rate is $1085.

 

About three weeks ago I got a letter in the mail telling me that unless I renew on a longer term lease by July 2, my lease would be terminated in August. Although I was initially shocked, I can’t say this was unexpected. August is the most important month in the rental market and the rental office is much better off replacing a month to month tenant with one who is locked in on a longer term. And I heard that the demand for two bedroom apartments is such that the rental office is not even keeping a wait list.

 

I am a little upset that I will have to move but there is an upside to this. Wherever I end up will definitely be much cheaper than where I am now. I am really hoping that I will be able to find something in some of the really nice neighborhoods around the UNC campus such as the one near the Carolina Inn or the ones that run north of Franklin and Rosemary Streets. The biggest trick for me is to find a place where I can live on a temporary basis.

 

If I had been smart back in May, I would have tried to avoid this by renewing on a three month basis. But then again you know what they say about hindsight.